In Ray Bradbury’s The Halloween Tree (1972), a group of boys are whisked away on a magical Halloween eve and venture through time to learn the true meaning of Halloween. They encounter many obstacles and a great deal of folklore in the process. Some of it is true and some of it not true. All of it is laced with darkness. But just how sinister is it really? While there are many allegations that the ancient tradition of Samhain is actually a sacrificial party for pagans, there seems to be no first-hand accounts of this fact. In actuality, the folkloric origins of “sacrifice” have more to do with propaganda and less to do with tradition.
Sacrificial Origins
The Celts and Halloween
The Celts have had a significant impact on our modern understanding of Halloween. Much of the celebration and nuances, such as treats and celebration, come from these early stories. Allegedly, they started large pyres as a crux for celebration, and they danced in the embrace of “Samhain” (pronounced “sow-win”). The celebration lasted from October 31st through November 1st (Gershon).
As the folklore goes, the bloody history of Halloween included sacrifice and murder to keep the spirits at bay. The dead would stay beyond the walls of the living, until that wall became thin. Some researchers indicate that this was a time when the “nights grew longer and vegetation died off, the sagas represented doors opening between the lands of the living and dead” (Gerson). And through these doorways stepped the deceased ancestors previously laid to rest.
The Giants of Sacrifice
These stories state that the Celts sacrificed their children, grains, and cattle to the Fomorians of Irish Mythology. The Fomorians were a monstrous race of hostile ne’er-do-wells. These Fomorians would eat and consume and destroy unless plied with sacrifice to appease them.
As written in The Irish Post: “According to the ancient ‘Book of Invasions’, each Samhain the people of one Irish village sacrificed two-thirds of their children, their corn and their milk to the supernatural Fomorians,” and, “According to the later Dindsenchas and the Annals of the Four Masters – which were written by Christian monks … that a first-born child would be sacrificed at the stone idol of Crom Cruach every Samhain.”
However, Halloween history contains a plethora of myth. Thus, it seems many historians interpret the Fomorians as symbolic of nature and its destructive forces. Still, superstition shaped the rituals of the time.
Sacrificial Charges
Strabo and Geography
Greek Philosopher Strabo explains in Geography that out of superstition the Celts created massive figures composed of straw and wood. They used these figures for the alleged sacrifices. According to some researchers “… Strabo records that ‘cattle and wild animals and all sorts of human beings’ were thrown into this colossus. It was then set on fire. Strabo also asserts that the ‘wicker man’ was just one method of human sacrifice …” The druids would also, “shoot victims to death with arrows, or impale them in the temples” (Mingren).
In Caesar’s Own Words
The sacrificial claims don’t end with Strabo. Julius Caesar himself alleged that the barbaric tradition was happening just outside the borders of Rome. In De Bello Gallico, Caesar wrote, “They (Gauls) believe, in effect, that, unless for a man’s life a man’s life be paid, the majesty of the immortal gods may not be appeased …” Which means that a human must sacrifice themselves to make the Gods happy. He also writes, ” … and in public, as in private life they observe an ordinance of sacrifices of the same kind.” So, here sat the head of Rome, and he believed through the stories relayed to him that the enemy burned their own countrymen.
Caesar also wrote that some of the Gauls used “figures of immense size whose limbs, woven out of twigs,” were stuffed with living victims and set ablaze. “… the men perish in a sheet of flame,” he stated. “They believe that the execution of those who have been caught in the act of theft or robbery or some crime is more pleasing to the immortal gods. Yet, when the supply of sacrifices fails they resort to the execution even of the innocent” (Tastes of History). These allegations create a visceral image of bloodthirsty heathens waiting to bombard the Roman populace with their pagan ways. Thus, Rome’s narrative of a less civilized enemy held true in history as well, whether fact or fiction. In so many ways, Caesar’s own writings enabled the barbaric perspective of the Celts to take hold onto history. History is written by the victors.
Contrary Opinions
The Druids and Sacrifice
It’s important to note that Caesar may have been embellishing a bit. It is pure speculation whether there were actual human sacrifices even in the most famous instances of presumed sacrifices. Researchers are unsure if some of the remains of historical sacrifices were actually the result of “a homicide, a violent robbery, or the execution of a criminal” (National Geographic).
As stated by Irish Central: “As of yet, no human remains have been found within a Celtic Gallic sanctuary that clearly indicates a violent death. In the case of singular skulls or headless bodies, decapitation appears to have taken place after death, and one cannot be certain that these humans were alive, or even intact when they arrived at the sanctuary.”
All the same, it should be noted that researchers believe the “Lindow Man” was a human sacrifice. As stated, his “head had been violently smashed,” and “had been strangled and slashed.” The reason for his sacrifice is a mystery. Though, some researchers have pointed to the Druids’ fears of continued Roman invasion (Owen). Therefore, a sacrifice may have seemed necessary. Yet, one instance of human sacrifice is an outlier. This does not mean the Druids were killing people for their festivities in order to keep the spirits from harming them (Krul).
Rome and Propaganda
The deaths related to sacrifice “predate the Roman era.” As such, it is difficult to ascertain whether Caesar was embellishing for propagandistic purposes or not. However, considering the fearsome depictions of the Gauls in Roman society—Caesar’s intentions may not have been historically benevolent. After all, physical victory over the Gauls was essential for Caesar. By demonizing their culture, he won the psychological war as well.
Additionally, a few sources speak to the idea that the Celts committed sacrifices in their time. Still, many of the sources either point to Strabo or Julius Caesar, who were not present at these celebrations and were pushing a pro-Roman/Greek narrative that overhyped the barbaric nature of the enemy.
Conclusion
The Romans eventually conquered the Celts and their culture, and adopted the Celtic celebration of Samhain into both Feralia and Pomona. The former was a day of the dead and the latter was to celebrate apples. These celebrations, plus those of Samhain, have lived on in various ways, from eating snacks to playing tricks or dressing up in costumes.
But, just as those traditions have lingered, so has the brooding nature of Halloween as an evil holiday that has links to the Devil and human sacrifice. Certainly, folklore in this way has created a negative connotation for some cultures and traditions pas and present. The fears of Satan and Halloween still crop up, and evildoers still allegedly stuff candy with razorblades. In some cases, these connective strands from evil to Halloween have created improper impressions. In this instance, the uncivilized held an obsession with human sacrifice. Yet, these charges come from the words of conquerors. Either way, the modern Halloween tradition is devoid of human sacrifice, which means you can still trick-or-treat without fear of sacrifice.
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